Hornet’s End Season In Style

WATFORD finally ended their dreadful away form at the last chance, a convincing 4-0 rout at Coventry bringing to an end the 17-match winless streak outside the home comforts of WD18.

Danny Graham opened the scoring for Watford from the penalty spot with his 13th of the season going on to grab his 14th in the second half, sandwiched between superb strikes from Henri Lansbury and youngster Marvin Sordell.

The Hornet`s named a strong starting eleven for the seasons closing fixture; young winger Michael Bryan the only player forcing his way into Malky Mackay`s side, with Heidar Helguson dropping out the squad altogether.

Just sixteen minutes in, Watford took the lead from the penalty spot after West Bromwich loanee Leon Barnett felled striker Danny Graham, who after prolonged off-putting tactics from Clinton Morrison only resulted in the former Carlisle man confidently placing his penalty in the top left-hand corner.

Coventry hardly had time to get into the Hornet`s half before it was two, Henri Lansbury collecting the ball in midfield and driving into space before firing a bullet into the bottom corner of Kieran Westwood`s net. All too much for some Sky Blues fans who were busily heading towards the exits.

Lansbury had two more great chances to add to his goal tally, slipped in down the left hand side of the penalty area and firing a shot at the legs of Westwood before seeing the rebound blocked away.

Coventry were creating chances, but the likes of David Bell and Sammy Clingan were unable to divert chances past Scott Loach from acute angles inside the penalty area.

Half-time: 0-2

In the 78th minute Watford were able to put the game to bed and leave the home side ruing the chances they missed when the ‘Orns took their feet off the gas.

As Watford drove forward, Danny Graham picked out Jon Harley in acres space on the left-hand side of the penalty area before tapping home from Harley`s selfless pin-point centre for a third on 78 minutes.

Only a sublime save from Westwood denied Watford a fourth not long after, Don Cowie connecting with a perfect cross, crashing a half volley towards the top-corner, Westwood somehow clawing the Scot`s shot over the bar from point blank range.

Substitute Marvin Sordell did get Watford`s fourth with nine minutes remaining as he drove at the beleaguered City backline before firing a low shot through a crowd of bodies and past Westwood.

And, the former Tranmere loanee was left head in hands as he saw his speculative fifty-odd yard effort land on the roof of the net after collecting Kieran Westwood`s sliced clearance.

Full-time: 0-4

City boss Chris Coleman said that his side would not go on a lap of honour at full-time as he felt there was nothing to celebrate. In reality there were few fans left to pay homage to their players, and those who did were only sticking around to applaud the soon to be ex-City fullback, Marcus Hall.

If only the season started last week eh?!

Coventry: Westwood, Barnett, Cranie, Wood, Wright (Clarke, 71 ) , Bell, Clingan (Baker, 46 ) ,McIndoe, Gunnarsson, Eastwood (Jeffers, 71 ) , Morrison

Subs not used: Hall,Konstantopoulos,Sears,Hussey,

Watford: Loach, Doyley, Martin Taylor, Mariappa, Harley, Hodson, Eustace ( McGinn, 89 ) , Lansbury,Cowie, Bryan ( Sordell, 61 ) , Graham ( Massey, 85 )

Subs not used: Lee, Henderson, Bennett, Oshodi,

Bookings: Eastwood (Coventry)

Attendance : 19103

Referee: M R Halsey (Lancashire)

Player Ratings

Loach – 6
Nothing to do, again.

Hodson – 7
Excellent going forward and solid defensively.

Mariappa – 7
Solid.

Taylor – 7
Equally solid.

Doyley – 7
Desperate to grab a second of the campaign, bombed on well and kept David Bell quiet.

Cowie – 8
Worked effortless on a defensive and offensive basis.

Eustace (c) – 8
Usual determined, intelligent and committed display from the skipper.

Lansbury – 8
Fantastic goal, unlucky not to score again. Creative force.

Jon Harley – 8
Romped up and down the left, his selfless pass creating Danny Graham’s second.

Bryan – 7
Looked bright and positive. Used ball well but often caught in possession.

Graham – 8
Well made second goal from super Dan to cap a good debut season.

Sordell – 7
Strong, quick and positive, unlucky not to have two.

McGinn – N/A
No time to make impact.
Looked quite slight but energetic nonetheless.